Now, prosecution solicitors are considering taking the case to the Attorney General to assess whether Little's sentence could be increased at the Court of Appeal.

A Crown Prosecution Service spokeswoman said today: "We are considering this case very carefully to see whether or not we should appeal to the Attorney General to consider a referral to the Court of Appeal under the unduly lenient sentence regulation."

Distraught members of Ms Armstrong's family have been too upset to talk about her death last year, or the outcome of the case.

Police at first laun-ched a murder inquiry but Little denied the charge, pleading guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of lack of intent.

The mum was with her teenage niece on the day Little struck her as she stood near her home in Pottery Bank, Walker.

The court was told Little had been using his van to scare Ms Arm-strong as part of a bitter

feud, driving fast up and down outside her home and making screeching handbrake turns.

He drove up again and this time stuck her as her terrified niece jumped out the way.

Little drove off, leaving the 35-year-old fatally injured. She was taken to Newcastle General Hospital but died from fatal head injuries.

Ms Armstrong, who lived with her young daughter, had moved to Tyneside only six weeks earlier from Blackpool.

Little and his girlfriend became friends with Ms Armstrong, but the relationship turned sour.

It was said in court that Little snapped when he thought she had vandalised his van and he drove towards her to scare her.

James Spencer, QC, prosecuting, said the manslaughter plea had been accepted after consultation with police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

David Robson, QC, defending, said: "This is a complex background to a man and his personality."